Magic in the Rain

PROLOGUE Dani jiggled the knob. Satisfied the café door was secured, she paused to check her reflection in the window. Being a brunette suits me. She ran her fingers through her shoulder-length curls. I guess that’s why I was born one. I’ll keep this color for a while. I’m tired of not recognizing myself in the mirror. After taking the stairs two at a time, she pushed open her apartment door. Stepping out of her clogs, she left them by the door. She flopped onto the sofa and propped her feet up onto the coffee table. Sorting through the mail, she said, “Junk, bill, junk…” She turned the square, cream-colored envelope over. There was no return address. She lifted the envelope to her nose. The distinct musk smell was faint but unmistakable. Dani’s heart quickened. “It can’t be.” She dropped the envelope onto the table as if it burned her fingers, staring at it. “I’m not going to open it. It’s going in the trash.” She dropped it on top of the garbage and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. Taking a long drink, she watched the envelope out of the corner of her eye, as if expecting it to come to life. Curiosity got the best of her. She retrieved it from the trash. She ripped open the envelope. A strangled laugh filled the small room. Why was she afraid of a silly puppy card? She flipped it open. Looking forward to seeing you again. It was unsigned. But the handwriting… “Derek.” She ripped the card and envelope into tiny pieces and buried it at the bottom of the can.